Question on long zoom for K10D

philipweber · 12-24-2007, 07:06 AM

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Are there any zooms in the 400-500mm range that will work well with a K10D? I'd prefer one that fits without an adaptor and assume I'd have to use a long zoom like that with a tripod and anti-shake off.

Any advice on brands and dealers is appreciated!

Thanks,
Phil

alib99 · 12-24-2007, 08:54 AM

500mm : Sigma 170-500, 50-500
400mm: Sigma 135-400
300mm: sigma 100-300, sigma-tamron 70-300
Do not look any further, These are all the options you can get without hunting in the ebay.

philipweber · 12-24-2007, 10:04 AM

I've looked at the Sigma 135-400 & 170-500 and some reviews are great and some aren't. Anyone out there with recent experience with either of these?

Are there any lens at 400 or 500mm that aren't zooms (Prime quality) that would fit my
K10D? If I bought an adaptor, would that increase my options? I'd really like a killer 400 or 500mm, somehow, someway!

Thanks!
Phil

Stratman · 12-24-2007, 10:28 AM

Here are a few i shot with a Vivitar 400MM F5.6. This is the Vivitar version with the adaptable mount, similar to Tamrons Adaptal. It is a fully manual lens. Bought it in the Marketplace section of this forum, cheap, and works pretty well, this was my first time < and only time so far > out with it. Was a gloomy day, so the pics aren't as nice as they could have been..

Bokeh test..

Butterfly about 30 feet away..

Stratman · 12-24-2007, 11:01 AM

Here is a listing on ebay that has a K1000, and 4 lenses, one being a 400MM tele, might be worth a shot, so far bid is only $26 !!
Pentax K1000 Film Camera - (eBay item 160191889584 end time Dec-25-07 23:24:12 PST)

**Eaglerapids** · 12-24-2007, 04:43 PM

After seeing your second pic Stratman, I now wish I'd bought that lens!!

Snowcat · 12-25-2007, 12:58 AM

philipweber, Sigma 50-500 has very good image quality, better then 135-400 or 170-500. Almost everyone say that bigger zoom means worse image quality but it's not a law, 50-500 and tamron 18-250 are exceptions from this rule.

roentarre · 12-25-2007, 01:10 AM

Sigma 50-500 has its own problem. Between 50 - 100mm, the colour can be lacking to a degree. The contrast tends to be low even stopping down. Post processing would not be able to rescue much colour back.

At 430mm on wards, back focusing happens frequently. Images often require at least one stop down.

The good thing I notice with bigma is the advantage of having a great bokeh at 500mm end especially with direct light sources. It does pretty well in that department

philipweber · 12-25-2007, 08:26 AM

Thanks Roentarre. I've been doing a lot of research on this and other sites and think I'm going for the Bigma. It sounds like what you said about the 50-100mm range is true, based on many other posts. However, I have a Pentax 18-250mm, so I'm really looking at the Bigma (or something) for 200mm and up. I like the idea of the smaller & less expensive 135-400mm but have a nagging concern about wanting the extra reach + the lens has some good reviews but some (a few too many for me) not so good ones too.

The Bigma may be a little soft after 430mm but it appears it's the best option I can find, I have heard the bokeh is great on it, which is always an added plus.

I'm going to pull the trigger on the Bigma this week, unless I find something else that really rocks.

Thanks for your help!

smokey · 12-25-2007, 09:43 AM

Originally posted by Snowcat

Almost everyone say that bigger zoom means worse image quality but it's not a law,

That's why I bought the 170-500 (besides the price difference). But now wish I had gotten the 50-500. But I am happy with the 170-500. It is just a tad soft at 500. But I have not had any problems with it and would recommend it to anyone.

ralphl · 12-25-2007, 11:36 AM

the older non dslr lenses are a good choice but be mindfull of the crop facter. A 500 prime like the Sigma takes great images but with a very reduced fov. can be a factor on long scenics.

jgredline · 12-25-2007, 08:06 PM

Here is another opinion
Being that I have the 50-500, 135-400 and 170-500, my favs are in this order.
135-400 is perfect through the whole range.
The 170-500 is ok as is the 50-500.

The 135-400 is the way to go.

Chako · 12-25-2007, 09:04 PM

It all depends upon what you’re photographing. If you’re into small birds or skittish critters, then the Bigma is the way to go. I find that even at 500mm, it still isn't enough reach at times.

jgredline · 12-25-2007, 09:14 PM

Has anybody noticed that the bigma likes to be at 560iso and above?

**Eaglerapids** · 12-25-2007, 11:19 PM

I've been fighting this war with myself since my first trip out to shoot the Eagles. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the Bigma but then I thought if I was going to spend a thousand bucks I wanted IQ and I've seen nothing in the $1000 range come close to the pictures I've seen from the FA*300/4.5. It doesn't have the range of the Sigma but look at the daggone quality of the pictures. Then I saw one go for around $930 on Ebay. It tore my heart out not to bid on that lens but right now it is just not financially responsible for me to spend that kind of money for a lens. So what happens? A few days later another one comes up! It goes for $1175 or something like that.....and I watched it right up to the bitter end.
My mind is made up. I will get a 300mm but it's going to be top notch, no compromises except for it being f4 instead of f2.8 I just have to wait and see how my taxes go and hopefully the DA*300 will be out by then. I'll then wait and see the reports on it, if it's a super duper quality lens it will be hard to resist with the weather sealing. But if it is super duper, the used prices on the F* and FA* 300's may drop a bit and maybe the market will swing a bit to the buyer instead of this damn seller's market we're in right now. I can't believe Pentax has sat around this long watching other people make money off their lenses and not brought something new out that they could make money from themselves. Our shop has just spent the last month leading up to Christmas working our butts off on overtime because the job needed to be done. I came home last Saturday for lunch and to let Spike out to pee and people were visiting families all up and down the block.....and I had to go back to work. Pentax has a job to do and it's time for them to get off their butts and work some overtime or whatever it takes to get some product out instead of talking about "roadmaps" and all that other crap. Money talks and B*lls**t walks as my Old Man likes to point out.

12-24-2007, 07:06 AM	#1
philipweber New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 20	Question on long zoom for K10D Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Are there any zooms in the 400-500mm range that will work well with a K10D? I'd prefer one that fits without an adaptor and assume I'd have to use a long zoom like that with a tripod and anti-shake off. Any advice on brands and dealers is appreciated! Thanks, Phil

12-25-2007, 11:36 AM	#11
ralphl Inactive Account Join Date: May 2007 Location: southwest USA Posts: 55	long lenses the older non dslr lenses are a good choice but be mindfull of the crop facter. A 500 prime like the Sigma takes great images but with a very reduced fov. can be a factor on long scenics.

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12-24-2007, 08:54 AM	#2
alib99 Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 90	500mm : Sigma 170-500, 50-500 400mm: Sigma 135-400 300mm: sigma 100-300, sigma-tamron 70-300 Do not look any further, These are all the options you can get without hunting in the ebay.

12-24-2007, 10:04 AM	#3
philipweber New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 20 Original Poster	I've looked at the Sigma 135-400 & 170-500 and some reviews are great and some aren't. Anyone out there with recent experience with either of these? Are there any lens at 400 or 500mm that aren't zooms (Prime quality) that would fit my K10D? If I bought an adaptor, would that increase my options? I'd really like a killer 400 or 500mm, somehow, someway! Thanks! Phil

12-24-2007, 10:28 AM	#4
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Here are a few i shot with a Vivitar 400MM F5.6. This is the Vivitar version with the adaptable mount, similar to Tamrons Adaptal. It is a fully manual lens. Bought it in the Marketplace section of this forum, cheap, and works pretty well, this was my first time < and only time so far > out with it. Was a gloomy day, so the pics aren't as nice as they could have been.. Bokeh test.. Butterfly about 30 feet away..

12-24-2007, 11:01 AM	#5
Stratman Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: St Louis, Missouri U S A Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,464	Here is a listing on ebay that has a K1000, and 4 lenses, one being a 400MM tele, might be worth a shot, so far bid is only $26 !! Pentax K1000 Film Camera - (eBay item 160191889584 end time Dec-25-07 23:24:12 PST)

12-24-2007, 04:43 PM	#6
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	After seeing your second pic Stratman, I now wish I'd bought that lens!!

12-25-2007, 12:58 AM	#7
Snowcat Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 239	philipweber, Sigma 50-500 has very good image quality, better then 135-400 or 170-500. Almost everyone say that bigger zoom means worse image quality but it's not a law, 50-500 and tamron 18-250 are exceptions from this rule.

12-25-2007, 01:10 AM	#8
roentarre Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 11,783	Sigma 50-500 has its own problem. Between 50 - 100mm, the colour can be lacking to a degree. The contrast tends to be low even stopping down. Post processing would not be able to rescue much colour back. At 430mm on wards, back focusing happens frequently. Images often require at least one stop down. The good thing I notice with bigma is the advantage of having a great bokeh at 500mm end especially with direct light sources. It does pretty well in that department

12-25-2007, 08:26 AM	#9
philipweber New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 20 Original Poster	Thanks Roentarre. I've been doing a lot of research on this and other sites and think I'm going for the Bigma. It sounds like what you said about the 50-100mm range is true, based on many other posts. However, I have a Pentax 18-250mm, so I'm really looking at the Bigma (or something) for 200mm and up. I like the idea of the smaller & less expensive 135-400mm but have a nagging concern about wanting the extra reach + the lens has some good reviews but some (a few too many for me) not so good ones too. The Bigma may be a little soft after 430mm but it appears it's the best option I can find, I have heard the bokeh is great on it, which is always an added plus. I'm going to pull the trigger on the Bigma this week, unless I find something else that really rocks. Thanks for your help!

12-25-2007, 09:43 AM	#10
smokey Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Salina, KS Posts: 92	Originally posted by Snowcat Almost everyone say that bigger zoom means worse image quality but it's not a law, That's why I bought the 170-500 (besides the price difference). But now wish I had gotten the 50-500. But I am happy with the 170-500. It is just a tad soft at 500. But I have not had any problems with it and would recommend it to anyone.

12-25-2007, 08:06 PM	#12
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Here is another opinion Being that I have the 50-500, 135-400 and 170-500, my favs are in this order. 135-400 is perfect through the whole range. The 170-500 is ok as is the 50-500. The 135-400 is the way to go.

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12-25-2007, 09:04 PM	#13
Chako Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sault Ste Marie, Ont, Canada. Posts: 563	It all depends upon what you’re photographing. If you’re into small birds or skittish critters, then the Bigma is the way to go. I find that even at 500mm, it still isn't enough reach at times.

12-25-2007, 09:14 PM	#14
jgredline Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: LosAngeles, Ca. Photos: Albums Posts: 10,628	Has anybody noticed that the bigma likes to be at 560iso and above?

12-25-2007, 11:19 PM	#15
Eaglerapids Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Idaho,USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,619	I've been fighting this war with myself since my first trip out to shoot the Eagles. I was so close to pulling the trigger on the Bigma but then I thought if I was going to spend a thousand bucks I wanted IQ and I've seen nothing in the $1000 range come close to the pictures I've seen from the FA300/4.5. It doesn't have the range of the Sigma but look at the daggone quality of the pictures. Then I saw one go for around $930 on Ebay. It tore my heart out not to bid on that lens but right now it is just not financially responsible for me to spend that kind of money for a lens. So what happens? A few days later another one comes up! It goes for $1175 or something like that.....and I watched it right up to the bitter end. My mind is made up. I will get a 300mm but it's going to be top notch, no compromises except for it being f4 instead of f2.8 I just have to wait and see how my taxes go and hopefully the DA300 will be out by then. I'll then wait and see the reports on it, if it's a super duper quality lens it will be hard to resist with the weather sealing. But if it is super duper, the used prices on the F* and FA* 300's may drop a bit and maybe the market will swing a bit to the buyer instead of this damn seller's market we're in right now. I can't believe Pentax has sat around this long watching other people make money off their lenses and not brought something new out that they could make money from themselves. Our shop has just spent the last month leading up to Christmas working our butts off on overtime because the job needed to be done. I came home last Saturday for lunch and to let Spike out to pee and people were visiting families all up and down the block.....and I had to go back to work. Pentax has a job to do and it's time for them to get off their butts and work some overtime or whatever it takes to get some product out instead of talking about "roadmaps" and all that other crap. Money talks and Blls*t walks as my Old Man likes to point out.